2015 Students of Distinction: Amanda Myton

Amanda Myton says she has a heart for service. She has spent numerous hours on community activities, receiving a varsity letter as a result.

“I’m really service-minded and do the best I can to make the world a better place,” she said.

Her numerous volunteer commitments have included organizations such as Special Olympics, Gig Harbor Basket Brigade and Race for a Soldier. She’s been volunteering at St. Anthony Hospital weekly for four years, and for Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church’s KidZone program weekly for three years.

She has accumulated more than 850 hours of community service, including through her involvement with Interact Club, a high school service club sponsored by the Rotary.

“She has demonstrated outstanding leadership among her peers and meets every challenge with careful consideration and enthusiasm,” said John Winslow, Interact Club adviser and member of the sponsoring Gig Harbor Morning Rotary Club.

“She is understated, humble, a good listener, friendly and giving of her time to all members and people associated with the club,” Winslow said.

As a freshman, Myton joined the school’s girls swim team “for fun.”

“It was a way to meet new people and be active while having fun in a different setting,” she said.

While keeping a busy community service schedule, Myton has maintained a near-perfect GPA. She gives credit for her success to her teachers for being supportive and helping her do her best.

“She is tireless in her work ethic, constantly pushing herself to do better and asking questions when she doesn’t understand a concept or is confused,” English teacher Lynda Richards said. “She is also a great team/group member. She is an active participant, often taking the leadership role, and encouraging others to do more than they might otherwise.”

Myton considers her broad involvement the best part of her high school career.

“I feel I’ve had a really well-rounded experience and have had a lot of opportunities,” she said.

She plans to pursue her interests in sciences and service to become a nurse — inspired, in part, by her grandmother and great-grandmother, both nurses. As a volunteer at St. Anthony Hospital and participant in medical camps, Myton had the opportunity to explore her career choice behind the scenes.

Her college option is not final but Myton is considering either the pediatric specialty or a service-oriented field such as disease prevention.

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